Violent Monkey Takeover Caught on Camera

February 9, 2012—"This doesn't look good," says National Geographic Young Explorer Shayna Liberman. Young rivals are menacing a wild gelada monkey patriarch in Ethiopia, eager for control of his females and offspring. Hours pass, blood spills, and power changes hands.

Violent Monkey Takeover Caught on Camera

February 9, 2012—"This doesn't look good," says National Geographic Young Explorer Shayna Liberman. Young rivals are menacing a wild gelada monkey patriarch in Ethiopia, eager for control of his females and offspring. Hours pass, blood spills, and power changes hands.

This is a typical gelada family. We call the leader Igor and surrounding him are some of his females and infants.

Shayna (VO)

Igor is always on guard to drive off competition

from bachelor enemies.

Shayna (VO) with a smile

Looks like Igor is showing the younger bachelors he’s still got it.

Shayna (VO)

Here are four determined bachelors.

This doesn’t look good.

Shayna (VOC)

Igor is back to help protect the unit.

But Igor is badly injured from another

takeover attempt. There is a hole straight

through his hand.

Shayna (VOC)

They are getting hit from all sides.

And now they are cornered.

Shayna (VOC)

Its head to head!

Shayna (VO)

After hours of fighting the struggle is over. Igor has

disappeared after sustaining multiple injuries and a new young bachelor male has taken over his place. Months later Igor came back alive and well. One day he might be able to reclaim his females, but for now it’s the bachelor life.

Violent Monkey Takeover Caught on Camera

February 9, 2012—"This doesn't look good," says National Geographic Young Explorer Shayna Liberman. Young rivals are menacing a wild gelada monkey patriarch in Ethiopia, eager for control of his females and offspring. Hours pass, blood spills, and power changes hands.